Discussion»Questions»Politics» IF it's CHOICE you want, single payer will let you choose ANY hospital or ANY doctor in this great country of ours.. Amirit?
Single payer is the ONLY way healthcare for everybody will work. But it's "SOCIALISTIC" and the Republicans don't like that word because they don't want the poor to have healthcare because the poor don't DESERVE healthcare because the poor are LAZY GOOD-FOR-NOTHINGS.
It's true of people on Medicare and/or Medicaid, but if what I keep hearing is true, there are fewer doctors accepting Medicare/Medicaid patients these days.
Medicare and Medicaid, being the big boys on the block, pretty much set prices. So, a doctor isn't going to make any MORE money by only serving patients from private insurers.. Consequently, I'd say you heard wrong..
I would temper that by saying that if a doctor practices in an upscale area, he can charge what he wants. My boss lives in Connecticut and his primary care doctor doesn't take insurance of any kind. He also now has a concierge practice, so he can get what the traffic will bear.
Medicare and Medicaid do set their own prices that is exactly why some Dr/hospitals have quit accepting new patients with these. I have heard many a Dr whine about loosing money on Medicaid patients. One said he takes so many on and considers it his donation to charity.
Louie 